iRubric: Literary Essay 1 rubric

Each paragraph contains a clearly focused topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.
Details in the paragraphs are clear and specific, and there are enough details to create vivid images of the topic being discussed. The details clearly support the author's thesis. The author develops deep analysis of the text used to support their stance.

Each paragraph contains a topic sentence that relates to the thesis statement.
Details are clear and specific, but they do not vividly support the author's point. The author offers some personal analysis of the text.

At least one topic sentence is not clear nor does it relate to the thesis statement.
There are details from the text, but they are not clear, specific, applicable, and vivid, or subjects are not fully developed. The author relies mostly on quotes from the text to make their points, offering very little personal analysis.

There are no apparent topic sentences for each paragraph.
Details are either wrong or lacking. No vivid sense language is used. Or the details and textual evidence do not fit the essays topic.

Details from the text effectively supports the essay's main argument. Quotes and paraphrases are properly introduced with signal phrases, in-text citations, and an effective analysis about why the textual evidence is relevant to the argument.

Details from the text are mostly relevant to essay's argument. Quotes are introduced properly with signal phrases, in-text citations, and an attempt at analysis is made.

Evidence from text does not relate to the essays argument, or evidence is improperly introduced, cited, or lacks fully analysis.

There is no attempt to incorporate textual evidence and details into the paper.

Writing is smooth, skillful, and coherent. Sentences are strong and expressive with varied structure. Consistent and appropriate tone and word choice is used throughout the essay. Transitions are appropriate and add to the effectiveness of the essay.

Writing is clear and sentences have varied structure. There is consistent tone and word choice is appropriate with fairly good use of transitions to guide the reader.

Writing is clear, but sentences may lack variety. The tone is inconsistent and word choice, while adequate, could be better. While transitions are present they do not add to the overall effectiveness of the essay.

Writing is confusing and hard to follow. Contains fragments and/or run-on sentences. The tone and purpose is inconsistent and difficult to determine. Transitions are either missing or inappropriate.